American Express and Hilton have four co-branded credit cards. These cards are fantastic, and have valuable benefits that could make them worth holding onto.
In this post:
Hilton Amex Card Welcome Offers
Hilton Honors Amex Card: 80,000 points
The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee (Rates & Fees), and has a welcome offer of 80,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $1,000 within the first three months of card membership.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Hilton Honors Amex Card features the following perks in the long run:
- 7x points for spending at Hilton hotels
- Hilton Honors Silver status for as long as you have the card
- Hilton Honors Gold status when you spend $20,000 on the card in a calendar year
Read a full review of the Hilton Honors Amex Card.
Hilton Honors Surpass Card: 130,000 points + Free Night
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a $95 annual fee, and for applications through July 19, 2023, the card has a limited time welcome offer of 130,000 Hilton Honors points plus a free night award after spending $2,000 within the first three months of card membership.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Hilton Honors Surpass Card features the following perks in the long run:
- 12x points for spending at Hilton hotels
- Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as you have the card
- Hilton Honors Diamond status when you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year
- A Hilton free night reward when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
Read a full review of the Hilton Honors Surpass Card.
The information and associated card details on this page for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Hilton Honors Business Card: 130,000 points
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has a $95 annual fee (Rates & Fees), and the card has a welcome offer of 130,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $3,000 within the first three months of card membership.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Hilton Honors Business Card features the following perks in the long run:
- 12x points for spending at Hilton hotels
- Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as you have the card
- Hilton Honors Diamond status when you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year
- A Hilton free night reward when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year, and a second one when you spend $60,000 on the card in a year
- 10 Priority Pass visits per year (Enrollment required)
Read a full review of the Hilton Honors Business Card.
Hilton Aspire Card: 150,000 points
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has a $450 annual fee and has a welcome offer of 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 within three months.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Hilton Aspire Card features the following perks in the long run:
- 14x points for spending at Hilton hotels
- Hilton Honors Diamond status for as long as you have the card
- A Hilton free night reward every year , and a second one when you spend $60,000 on the card in a year
Read a full review of the Hilton Aspire Card.
The information and associated card details on this page for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Are you eligible for Hilton Honors Amex cards?
Anecdotally Hilton Honors Amex cards are pretty easy to be approved for:
- Each of these cards is considered a separate product, so you’re eligible for the welcome offer on each card, within the typical “once in a lifetime” rule
- The standard American Express card application rules apply, including that you’re generally limited to having five Amex credit cards at a given point (this doesn’t include charge cards and hybrid cards)
- For those with excellent credit, I find Amex credit cards to be among the easiest to be approved for
- If you are worried about Chase’s 5/24 rule, applying for the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card won’t count as a further card toward that limit
Which Hilton Honors Amex offer is best?
If you’re trying to decide which of these offers makes the most sense, here are a few considerations:
- If you’ve already had a Hilton Honors Amex card, pick up a card that you haven’t had before, so you’re eligible for the welcome offer
- If you’re looking for a personal card, you really can’t go wrong with the Hilton Honors American Express Card or Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card; I’d say the latter is worth the annual fee, given the better bonus and incremental perks
- If you’re looking for a business card, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is your best bet, and fortunately, it’s a great card with a solid bonus
The information and associated card details on this page for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for a no annual fee card, then the Hilton Honors American Express Card is for you. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a card with stronger perks and an even better bonus, I recommend the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
Do you plan on picking up a Hilton Honors Amex with these bonuses?
The information and associated card details on this page for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: Hilton Honors American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (Rates & Fees).
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you say charge cards and hybrid cards dont count towards the 5/24 rule- what kind of cards are those?
These are not much good for me because restaurants and groceries are only good for purchases in the US. I travel a lot.
Curious as to whether having the Aspire card and thus Diamond status because of it counts towards Lifetime Diamond Status?
Ben/Lucky, Thank you again for another very informative article. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your articles (reviews, how to, guides, etc) which as greatly enhanced my own knowledge in this area.
I have earned multi-million miles/points and hold/held top elite status with hotels and an airline. Unfortunately, prior 2020 I didn’t really put much thought into this and recommend strategies, and this missed out on potential millions of additional miles/points. Now, thanks to you and...
Ben/Lucky, Thank you again for another very informative article. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your articles (reviews, how to, guides, etc) which as greatly enhanced my own knowledge in this area.
I have earned multi-million miles/points and hold/held top elite status with hotels and an airline. Unfortunately, prior 2020 I didn’t really put much thought into this and recommend strategies, and this missed out on potential millions of additional miles/points. Now, thanks to you and OMAAT, I read everything you post and have changed the way I think and act more strategically.
This article as well as your AmEx Aspire Card review has made it easier for me to select the best option for me. Thank you.
Two points: is it possible to add a bookmark feature to your site to save articles for future reference?
And I also noticed that when I am writing a comment the page will refresh and I have to write everything over again from scratch!
@DCS
What are your thoughts about these other Hilton Amex cards besides the Aspire Card
I am looking at the Surpass?
I already have the Aspire
@Jill -- Since you already have the industry-leading, "too good to be true", Aspire card you are all set. The only reason to get any other AMEX HH card would be for signup bonus points, a one time deal per card.
I have all three cards simply because I did not cancel the no-fee when I got the Surpass (no reason to cancel since it cost me nothing), and I did not cancel the Surpass when I got the Aspire...
A free night certificate after $15k spend on the surpass is also compelling for some.
What are the benefits of applying for the Aspire over Business? I have an extended stay coming up at a Hilton, 44 nights. I think I can get to Diamond through stays alone before the end of the year. Am I missing something other than the airline and resort credit for the higher annual fee?
Major: Immediate and permanent diamond status without having to jump through hoops. The 100% point bonus on a 44 night stay would add up from that. The 2x$250 annual credits you mentioned. A free night certificate annually instead of just once with the sub.
Meh: Marginally higher multipliers on Hilton and travel spend, plus 7x on dining but minus 6x on business. $100 property credit with every 2+ Waldorf or Conrad stays.
Depends: Priority...
Major: Immediate and permanent diamond status without having to jump through hoops. The 100% point bonus on a 44 night stay would add up from that. The 2x$250 annual credits you mentioned. A free night certificate annually instead of just once with the sub.
Meh: Marginally higher multipliers on Hilton and travel spend, plus 7x on dining but minus 6x on business. $100 property credit with every 2+ Waldorf or Conrad stays.
Depends: Priority Pass if you don’t have it elsewhere.
To me, that’s worth it for an extra $355, but YMMV.
Just picked up the Aspire last month, but the Surpass is a must grab based on the promo. Being able to stay a week at a high end, classy joint just from two sign up bonuses is insane.
How does the aspire offer compare to the usual? I have been waiting to get the aspire until they offered a beefed up welcome bonus, but can’t remember what the standard welcome bonus is. Is this one special? Thanks
@ Daniel -- It's the same offer as before. We haven't seen an Aspire limited time offer in at least a couple of years. I wouldn't count on an elevated bonus there, because I think the card sells itself.
Thanks, Ben. I’ll go ahead and get it.
Just for my own knowledge, do you remember what the best ever bonus was?
I thought I remembered maybe 2 free nights off the bat when the card was first offered, but can’t find it anywhere.
* or maybe it was an upgrade offer now that I think of it
This is clearly going to devalue Hilton points even more